There seems to be a problem at the normally quiet and serene Chuckchansi Casino near Fresno in the state of California.  Apparently, the former general manager, Jeff Livingston, used his corporate credit card to purchase more than $30,000 on personal items.

Livingston, 49 years of age, is being investigated by the FBI and was arrested for using the card during the months of June and July of 2007 to purchase 2 vehicles and a golf vacation in Hawaii.  He was arrested on two federal counts of theft by an employee of a gaming establishment on Indian lands.  He could get up to 20 years in prison and an amount of $1 million in fines.  During his indictment, he entered a plea of not guilty and was released.

The economy and fall in revenue for casinos worldwide has made it difficult for casino managers.  They are used to getting large bonuses and living luxurious lifestyles.  Because of the revenue drops, these managers are not getting these bonuses and some are using other means of keeping their lifestyle that may not be legal.  Although the issue with the Chuckchansi Casino happened prior to these reductions in revenue for casinos, it is expected that more instances may come to the forefront because of the reduction in bonuses and pay.

Interestingly enough, Jeff Livingston is a former deputy sheriff in Broward County Florida.  He began working as a manager at the Gold Resort and Casino in 2005.  He resigned in 2008 and 1 month later the investigation began.

The Chuckchansi tribe inhabited the area near Fresno, CA and was hunter/gatherers that were going where the food was located.  During the gold rush, many treaties were struck with this tribe only to be broken.  The US Federal government gave them Indian Tribe status and took it away only to reinstate the tribe in 1983.  The casino boasts table games, slots, and poker rooms along with a serenity spa, hotel, and dining room.

The investigation into this issue started in February of 2008.  The Tribal Gaming Agency of the Gold Resort and Casino near Fresno found something wrong with the company credit card.  The FBI became involved because Livingston was an employee of a tribal casino.  Livingston tried to make the purchase look like they were part of a purchase for a casino giveaway involving ten cars but the attempt obviously wasn’t very well done.

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